Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force vs. Houston
A rare bowl game that serves as a rematch of a game earlier in the year, the Air Force Falcons will try to beat the Houston Cougars for a second time December 31. The teams meet at Amon Carter Stadium in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cougars listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Falcons, while the game's total is sitting at 64½.
Jared Tew ran for Air Force's only touchdown in their 44-10 loss to TCU in Week 13.
The Horned Frogs managed to cover the 20-point spread in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the day's posted total (41.5).
Case Keenum put up five TD passes for Houston in a losing cause as they were upset by Rice in Week 14.
The Cougars failed to cover the 3-point spread, while the final score played OVER the total of 79.
Team records:
Air Force: 8-4 SU, 7-4 ATS
Houston: 7-5 SU, 4-7 ATS
Air Force most recently:
When playing in December are 4-5
When playing on grass are 3-7
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing outside the conference are 6-4
Houston most recently:
When playing in December are 2-6
When playing on grass are 9-1
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Air Force is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Air Force's last 10 games
Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Sun Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Oregon State
The Pittsburgh Panthers clobbered Oregon State the last time they met in a bowl game back in 2002. But Pitt (9-3)opened as a small dog for its New Year's Eve battle with the 8-4 Beavers in the Sun Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Beavers listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Panthers, while the game's total is sitting at 52.
Bill Stull threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns to lead Pittsburgh to a 34-10 win over Connecticut in Week 15.
The Panthers covered the 1.5-point spread, while the combined score played just UNDER the posted total of 46.
Oregon State was upset 65-38 by Oregon in Week 14 as a 3-point favorite at home. That game's 103 points sailed OVER the posted total of 58.
Lyle Moevao threw for 363 yards with five touchdowns for Oregon State. Shane Morales finished with 62 yards rushing with two touchdowns in the loss.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS
Oregon State: 8-4 SU, 8-4 ATS
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing in December are 6-3
When playing on turf are 5-5
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 6-4
Oregon State most recently:
When playing in December are 6-4
When playing on turf are 8-2
After being outgained are 10-0
When playing outside the conference are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Pittsburgh's last 18 games
Oregon State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Oregon State is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Music City Bowl: Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt looked like a contender in the SEC before the Commodore season wrecked on the rocks with four losses in five games to end the year. Now at 6-6, they face the 9-4 Boston College Eagles - losers in the ACC title game - December 31 at LP Field in the Music City Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Eagles listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Commodores, while the game's total is sitting at 40½.
Dominique Davis threw for 258 yards, one TD and two interceptions for Boston College in a 30-12 loss to Virginia Tech in Week 15.
The Eagles failed to cover the 1-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 39.
Vanderbilt fell 23-10 to Wake Forest in Week 14 as a 4-point road underdog. That game's 33 points fell UNDER the posted total of 38.
Brandon Barden caught two passes and scored the lone TD.
Team records:
Boston College: 9-4 SU, 7-5 ATS
Vanderbilt: 6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS
Boston College most recently:
When playing in December are 8-2
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the conference are 10-0
Vanderbilt most recently:
When playing in December are 0-1
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Boston College is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Boston College is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston College's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Vanderbilt's last 9 games
Vanderbilt is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Vanderbilt is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Insight Bowl: Minnesota vs. Kansas
The Minnesota Golden Gophers were 7-1 and sitting pretty in the Big Ten at the end of October. Then, they four in a row and fell to 7-5 and a date with the Kansas Jayhawks December 31 at Sun Devil Stadium.
The 7-5 teams will battle for the Insight Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Jayhawks listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Golden Gophers, while the game's total is sitting at 58.
Minnesota was shut out 55-0 by Iowa in Week 13 as a 7-point underdog at home. That game's 55 points made it OVER the posted total of 44.5.
Minnesota fell to 7-5 overall with the loss.
Todd Reesing's TD pass to Kerry Meier with 33 seconds remaining gave Kansas a 40-37 upset win over Missouri in Week 14.
The Jayhawks covered the 16.5-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 70.
Team records:
Minnesota: 7-5 SU, 7-4 ATS
Kansas: 7-5 SU, 6-5 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing in December are 3-4
When playing on grass are 2-8
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing outside the conference are 6-4
Kansas most recently:
When playing in December are 2-1
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games
Minnesota is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas's last 6 games
Kansas is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
Kansas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Chick-fil-A Bowl: LSU vs. Georgia Tech
The LSU Tigers went from national champions to a team trying to win the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Things sure change fast in college football, especially in the SEC.
The 9-3 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will be playing a home bowl game December 31 when they meet the 7-5 Tigers at the Georgia Dome.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yellow Jackets listed as 4-point favorites versus the Tigers, while the game's total is sitting at 52½.
LSU lost to Arkansas 31-30 as a 7-point favorite last time out. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (54).
Jordan Jefferson passed for 135 yards with two touchdowns for LSU and Brandon LaFell caught two passes for 49 yards with a touchdown.
Roddy Jones rushed for two touchdowns, including a 54-yard run late in the fourth quarter, to give Georgia Tech a 45-42 win over Georgia in Week 14.
The Jackets covered the 7.5-point spread, while the final score played well OVER the posted total of 50.5.
Team records:
LSU: 7-5 SU, 2-9 ATS
Georgia Tech: 9-3 SU, 8-2 ATS
LSU most recently:
When playing in December are 9-1
When playing on turf are 9-1
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing outside the conference are 10-0
Georgia Tech most recently:
When playing in December are 3-6
When playing on turf are 6-2
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing outside the conference are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
LSU is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LSU's last 10 games
LSU is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
LSU is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Georgia Tech is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Georgia Tech is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
AIR FORCE (8 - 4) vs. HOUSTON (7 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
AIR FORCE is 50-72 ATS (-29.2 Units) after playing a conference game since 1992.
AIR FORCE is 15-38 ATS (-26.8 Units) off a loss against a conference rival since 1992.
AIR FORCE is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
AIR FORCE is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
AIR FORCE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
AIR FORCE is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
AIR FORCE is 1-0 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
AIR FORCE is 1-0 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH (9 - 3) vs. OREGON ST (8 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
OREGON ST is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
OREGON ST is 72-49 ATS (+18.1 Units) in games played on turf since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 30-16 ATS (+12.4 Units) off a win against a conference rival since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
BOSTON COLLEGE (9 - 4) vs. VANDERBILT (6 - 6)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
MINNESOTA (7 - 5) vs. KANSAS (7 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
KANSAS is 51-78 ATS (-34.8 Units) after playing a conference game since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
LSU (7 - 5) vs. GEORGIA TECH (9 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
LSU is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in all games this season.
LSU is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
LSU is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA TECH is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in all games this season.
GEORGIA TECH is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
Armed Forces Bowl
Air Force vs. Houston
Air Force
16-7 ATS in all games
13-4 ATS Away playing with 2+ weeks rest
Houston
4-13 ATS after allowing 50+ points
0-6 ATS after scoring 37+ points BB games
Sun Bowl
Pitt vs. Oregon State
Pitt
3-16 ATS off BB games w/ 3+ turnovers
18-37 ATS after gaining 100 or less rushing yards
Oregon State
8-0 ATS after covering 2 out of their last 3 games
14-4 ATS after 1st month of season
Music City Bowl
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
Boston College
22-9 Under Away off ATS loss
0-4 ATS in December
Vanderbilt
17-6 Under in all games
12-4 Under off an Under
Insight Bowl
Minnesota vs. Kansas
Minnesota
7-3 Over in non-conference games
33-17 Over off 3+ conference games
Kansas
12-3 ATS as favorite
17-6 ATS playing with 2+ weeks rest
Chic-Fil-A Bowl
LSU vs. Georgia Tech
LSU:
2-9 ATS this season
17-8 Over L25 games
Georgia Tech
8-2 ATS this season
7-0 ATS off road win by 3pts or less
AIR FORCE vs. HOUSTON
Air Force is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Air Force's last 10 games
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
PITTSBURGH vs. OREGON STATE
Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Oregon State is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Oregon State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
BOSTON COLLEGE vs. VANDERBILT
Boston College is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Boston College is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Vanderbilt is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Vanderbilt is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
MINNESOTA vs. KANSAS
Minnesota is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Kansas is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
Kansas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
LSU vs. GEORGIA TECH
LSU is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
LSU is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Georgia Tech is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Georgia Tech is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
What bettors need to know: Sun Bowl
By David Malinsky
Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh (-2.5, 53)
Line moves
Although many will be waiting for a clearer take on the status of Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers, we are already seeing the expected activity on both Pittsburgh and the under when he failed to take part in the early practice sessions.
The Oregon State -3’s are becoming -2.5’s and the total has dropped to 52.
Letdown spot?
If Mike Riley and his Beavers were told back in September that they would be heading to El Paso after Christmas they would have been thrilled with the news – when you are sitting at 0-2 overall, off of a humbling blowout at Penn State and 0-1 in the Pac-10, a post-season trip would appear to be a major long shot.
Fast forward to late November and the Beavs took their home field in Corvallis against arch-rival Oregon needing just one more victory to be the Pac-10 representative in the Rose Bowl after stunning Southern Cal along the way.
Oregon State fell 65-38 to Oregon and it’s off to El Paso where Riley hopes to avoid a letdown situation.
Not Mr. Rodgers neighborhood
To be a single win away from the Rose Bowl, Oregon State had to do some things right. The brother tandem of Jacquizz Rodgers and James Rodgers was one of them.
Jacquizz keyed the upset of Southern Cal and ran for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also catching 29 passes for 247 more yards. James ran for 408 yards and five scores at a sparkling 8.9 per attempt.
The problem is that James is definitely out because of a broken collarbone and Jacquizz is also doubtful with a shoulder injury. The offense has to find some new directions. WR Sammie Stroughter is the real deal, but the QB play and the other RBs are uninspiring.
Talking tactics
Riley carries a 4-0 SU (straight up) and 3-1 ATS (against the spread) tally since returning to Corvallis in his second stint of leading the program. That includes a pair of wins in each of the last two years - a significant edge in experience against a Pittsburgh team and coaching staff that will be making its first collective appearance.
ATS
Oregon State fell out of favor with those ugly opening losses, which lowered public expectations and led to an 8-1 ATS run until that crashing loss to Oregon. Pittsburgh was a mixed bag overall at 6-6 ATS, but a pattern emerged in Panther games, with the underdog going 9-3 ATS.
Pittsburgh went 4-1 in that role, with all four of the covers also being outright wins.
Game outlook
Oregon State needs to find a way to move the football without the Rodgers brothers. The Pittsburgh offense isn’t sophisticated, but the Panthers can get physical and running back LeSean McCoy is among the best power runners in the country.
If the Beavers are unable to keep their defense off of the field in the early stages, fatigue could become a factor in the second half.
What bettors need to know: Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
By Alex Smart
Houston vs. Air Force (-2, 64)
Line Movement
Oddsmakers opened the Cougs as 2-point favorites with the total coming in at 64. The total has held firm, while the spread has risen to as high as 3 at some sportsbooks.
Head-to-head
Earlier this season, the Falcons and Cougars did battle in Houston. Air Force picked up a huge 31-28 victory, narrowly covering the spread as 2.5-point favorites. The game passed the total of 51.5 with ease.
Style conflict
College football hasn’t seen offenses this opposite since Texas Tech played against Navy in the Houston Bowl back in 2003. The Cougars will line up and chuck the pill all over the field.
QB Case Keenum threw for 4,761 yards this season, the best mark in college football. The offense ranks first in the NCAA in total offense (575.8 yards per game) and second in the NCAA in passing (413.5 yards per game). Houston averages passing the ball 47.9 times per game.
The opposite can be said about the Falcons, who only threw the ball a total of 120 times all season. In Air Force’s victory over Houston earlier this year, it threw the ball for 362 fewer yards than Houston. The Cougars had 362 passing yards.
It’s all about the option for the Falcons, who had six different players average at least five carries a game. RB Todd Newell leads the team with 594 rushing yards, which is an amazing statistic considering the team ranks fifth in the NCAA in rushing at 268.8 yards per game.
Houston, we have a problem
Even though this will be Houston’s fourth straight season playing in a bowl game, the Cougs haven’t won a postseason game since the 1980 Garden State Bowl. Their bowl losing streak has now stretched to eight games, while Houston’s bettors have lost three straight bowl games ATS.
Falcon down
Air Force hasn’t fared much better in bowl games recently. The Falcons lost last year’s Armed Forces Bowl 42-36 to the Cal Bears. They haven’t won a bowl game since 2000 when they beat Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Bowl.
‘Over'-bearing
Both these teams lit up the scoreboard with ease this season compiling a combined over/uner mark of 14-8 ATS (64 percent). Even though Houston has been faced with totals of 80.5, 73.5, and 79 in its last three games, the final score easily surpassed all three numbers. The average total score in the last three Cougars games was 92.3 points.
Air Force’s last three games have gone over the total by an average of 8.5 points per game. The defense gave up an average of 41 points in its last two games against TCU and BYU and a similar defensive effort will likely find the Falcons flying home as losers on New Years Eve.
What bettors need to know: Insight Bowl
By David Chan
Minnesota vs. Kansas (-10, 57)
Line movement
Kansas opened as an 8.5-point favorite before being bet up to –10.5. The total has stayed relatively steady, fluctuating between 57 and 58 points.
Key injuries
With the exception of running back Duane Bennett, who was lost for the season with a knee injury back in early September, Minnesota comes in healthy. Leading wide receiver Eric Decker is as healthy as he’s been since suffering an ankle injury in early November. He led the Big Ten conference in receptions this season, but failed to find the end zone and caught only three passes in the Gophers’ final two regular season games.
Kansas had many of its key players in and out of the lineup this season and wasn’t truly healthy until its season finale. The Jayhawks come into this game at or near full strength with no key injuries to note.
Weather
Hot and dry. Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona will be the setting for this New Year’s Eve clash. As you would expect, the elements shouldn’t play much of a factor. Both teams should relish the idea of leaving winter behind, at least for a few days.
Surprise teams collide
Last year Kansas was the Cinderella story, coming within a hair of the national championship game. The Golden Gophers turned out to be one of the nation’s biggest surprises this season.
The Gophers were the laughing stock of the Big Ten a year ago and weren’t expected to contend in 2008. While they did falter down the stretch losing their final four games, seven wins are no laughing matter (both straight up and against the spread).
Finishing strong
Credit the Jayhawks for battling hard right down to the final whistle, rebounding from back-to-back crippling losses against Nebraska and Texas to beat Missouri in their final regular season game. They sputtered against the big boys in the Big 12 this season but should feast on this matchup (sorry Gophers).
History in the making
This marks the first time in program history that Kansas has reached a bowl game in back-to-back seasons. Last January they upended Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, finishing 12-1.
What bettors need to know: Music City Bowl
By Ted Sevransky
Boston College Eagles vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (+3.5, 41)
Home cookin’
Teams that play their bowl game in their home state have done very well in recent years. Those teams are currently on a 12-5 ATS run over the last two years. Vanderbilt won’t be playing on its home field, but it is playing in its home city at an even more attractive venue. Boston College hasn’t sold many tickets to this one, so we can expect a real and significant homefield advantage for the Commodores.
Winning streak
Boston College owns the nation’s longest bowl winning streak. The Eagles have won their last eight bowl games, dating back to the 2000 Aloha Bowl. The last three bowls for BC have all come right down to the wire and were each won by six points or less (1-2 ATS). The first seven victories in that streak came under former head coach Tom O’Brien. Last year, Jeff Jagodzinski earned his first bowl win in a 3-point victory over Michigan State at the Champs Sports Bowl.
Favorite failures
The Music City Bowl has been a house of horrors for favorites over the last decade. In the last ten Music City Bowls, the underdog has won outright seven times. Last year, Kentucky took advantage of a suspension-depleted Florida State team, winning 35-28 in a result that covered the opening number but didn’t cover the inflated closing spread.
Vanderbilt has no bowl history whatsoever. Nobody on the Commodores roster was born the last time they played in a bowl game - a 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl loss to Air Force. Vandy’s last bowl win came all the way back in 1955 in the Gator Bowl against Auburn. So far back that a significant portion of its current coaching staff wasn’t even born when that game was played.
Head-to-head
This is only the third meeting between these two schools with Boston College winning each of the first two games. The last time these schools faced off against one another came back in 1963, so there’s no recent history to rely on when handicapping this matchup.
Injury concerns
Boston College has been riddled with injuries throughout the regular season. The Eagles lost their starting quarterback, Chris Crane, for the season following a broken collarbone in late November. They’ve lost a trio of quality linebackers as well with Brian Toal, Alex Albright and James McCluskey all out for the bowl game.
Vanderbilt has significant injury concerns on the defensive side of the football, playing without defensive end Broderick Stewart and star linebacker Brandon Bryant. Leading rusher Jared Hawkins is still listed as questionable with a foot injury.
No ‘Mo
Neither team has a lick of momentum coming into this ballgame. Boston College came up short in the ACC Championship Game against Virginia Tech for the second consecutive season. It was relegated to yet another minor bowl game as a result of that defeat. Vanderbilt absolutely tanked following its 5-0 start, finishing with a 1-6 SU record in its last ten games.
ATS results
Vanderbilt was the surprise of the college football world in September. The Commodores raced off to that aforementioned 5-0 start, covering the spread in each and every one of those wins. However, the Commodores managed only two pointspread covers in their final seven games, one of which came in a double-digit loss at Georgia.
Boston College enjoyed a four-game, late-season SU and ATS winning streak prior to its ACC Championship Game loss to the Hokies. The Eagles did finish the season with a winning ATS record, going 7-5 against the number.
Boston College was a strong over team down the stretch going 8-2 over/under in its final ten games. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, went 4-8 over/under through the course of its season.
Line moves
The early money has come on the home underdog in this bowl matchup. Boston College opened as a 4-point favorite but the line is down to -3.5 and on a direct path to -3. The total has stayed flat at 41 points since the opener.
What bettors need to know: Chick-Fil-A Bowl
By Steve Merril
LSU at Georgia Tech (-4.5, 53)
Line movement
The oddsmakers opened Georgia Tech as a 2.5-point favorite back on December 8th and the sharp money quickly bet the Yellow Jackets up to -4. This was a substantial move as it crossed over the key number 3. College football favorites win by exactly three points nearly eight percent of the time, so it was a significant line move.
The total opened at 48.5 and was quickly bet up to 51. The line has continued to rise during the past few weeks and now stands as high as 53 at many sportsbooks. This move was also substantial as it crossed over the key number of 51 as nearly three percent of all games landed exactly on 51 total points.
Home cooking
Weather will not be an issue as this game, which was formerly known as the Peach Bowl, is being played indoors in the Georgia Dome. This is a almost a home game for Georgia Tech as they reside in Atlanta. LSU will also have solid crowd support and the Tigers are familiar with this stadium. LSU won the SEC championship game in this same venue last year when it defeated Tennessee 21-14 as a 7-point favorite.
Quarterback situation
LSU had tremendous quarterback play during its first three seasons under head coach Les Miles with JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn leading the Tigers to a 34-6 straight-up record and a BCS title last season. Both signal callers are now in the NFL and LSU was much weaker at position this year.
Jarrett Lee has taken the majority of the snaps this season and he has struggled with just 53 percent completions and a negative 13/16 TD-INT ratio. Lee was injured versus Mississippi and did not play in the season finale loss at Arkansas. Second-string QB Andrew Hatch is also battling a leg injury which means third-string QB Jordan Jefferson is expected to start again this week.
Jefferson finished the game versus Mississippi and then started his first college game at Arkansas. He has averaged just 5.8 yards per pass which is much weaker than Lee (7.0 ypp) and Hatch (6.3 ypp). Jefferson has taken care of the ball and has a solid 3/1 TD-INT ratio.
Option attack
Georgia Tech only won more than seven games one time in Chan Gailey’s six seasons, yet new head coach Paul Johnson has already led the Yellow Jackets to a 9-3 SU record this year. Johnson has better athletes running his Navy option attack on offense and this has led to a dominating running game that averages 282 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry (versus opponents that allow just 147 yards and 3.9 ypr).
Georgia Tech only throws the ball on 19 percent of its offensive plays, but the team has averaged a solid 8.1 yards per pass (versus opponents that allow just 6.7 ypp). LSU’s defensive weakness this season has been defending the pass, but the Tigers have been strong versus the rush. LSU allows just 106 yards per game on the ground and only 3.3 yards per carry (versus opponents that average 140 yards and 4.0 ypr).
Wednesday's Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
**Houston vs. Air Force**
-Caesars Palace installed Houston as a 3½-point ‘chalk’ over Air Force, with the total set at 64. ESPN will provide coverage of Wednesday’s Armed Forces Bowl beginning at noon ET.
-Houston (7-5 straight up, 4-7 against the spread) was riding a three-game SU winning streak before falling to Rice November 29 as a three-point road favorite, 56-42. The combined 98 points soared ‘over’ the 49 ½-point closing total. The Cougars have failed to cover their last two outings.
-Houston lost despite gaining an incredible 634 yards of total offense (140 yards rushing, 494 passing). Quarterback Case Keenum was 30-of-54 passing for 494 yards with five touchdowns and an interception. Bryce Beall paced the ground game with 17 carries for 88 yards in the setback.
-Air Force (8-4 SU, 7-4 ATS) enters this bowl game mired in a two-game SU and ATS losing skid. The Falcons concluded the regular season with a loss to Texas Christian November 22 as a 20-point road underdog, 44-10. The combined 54 points eclipsed the 43-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the second consecutive contest.
-The Falcons were dominated in first downs (30-7), rushing yards (183-150), passing yards (321-11) and time of possession (38:22). Running back Asher Clark had 14 carries for 63 yards, while Jared Tew ran four times for 63 yards and a score.
-The Armed Forces Bowl is actually a rematch of a September 13 contest that Air Force won as a six-point road underdog, 31-28. There was no total on that contest.
-Houston linebacker Matt Nicholson (knee) is ‘questionable’ against the Falcons. Air Force linebacker Patrick Hennessey (shoulder) is ‘probable’ versus the Cougars, while wide receiver Kyle Halderman (mononucleosis) is ‘questionable,’ fullback Todd Newell (ankle) is ‘doubtful’ and nose guard Jared Marvin (knee) is expected to miss this game.
-Tuesday’s weather for Fort Worth, Texas calls for sunny skies, with a high of 53 degrees and a low of 31.
**Pittsburgh vs. Oregon State **
-Caesars Palace opened Oregon State as a 2½-point favorite over Pittsburgh, with the total listed at 52. CBS Sports will provide coverage of the Sun Bowl beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET.
-Pittsburgh (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) concluded its regular season with a two-game SU and ATS winning streak. The Panthers cruised past Connecticut December 6 as a 2½-point road underdog, 34-10. The combined 44 points failed to topple the 45½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 3-1 the past four games.
-Pittsburgh broke open a close contest by outscoring the Huskies in the third period, 24-7. The Panthers finished the contest with advantages in passing yards (141-80) and turnovers forced (5-3). Signal caller Bill Stull was 10-of-18 passing for 141 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while LeSean McCoy ran 24 times for 95 yards and a score.
-Oregon State (8-4 SU and ATS) was routed by rival Oregon November 29 as a three-point home ‘chalk,’ 65-38. The combined 103 points soared ‘over’ the 58 ½-point closing total, enabling the ‘over’ to improve to 4-2 the past six games with a total attached.
-The Beavers were riding a six-game SU winning streak (three in a row ATS) heading into that contest, and would have went to the Rose Bowl with a victory. Quarterback Lyle Moevao completed 27-of-51 passes for 374 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
-Pittsburgh is reporting no players as ‘probable,’ ‘questionable’ or ‘doubtful’ for this matchup with the Beavers. Oregon State running back Jermy Francis (personal) is ‘probable’ versus the Panthers, while running back Jacquizz Rodgers (shoulder) is ‘doubtful.’ Wide receiver James Rodgers (collarbone) is expected to miss this game.
-Tuesday’s forecast for El Paso, Texas calls for sunny skies, with a high of 61 degrees and a low of 33.
vegasinsider.com
Chick-Fil-A Bowl preview
By Brian Edwards
LSU and Georgia Tech were certainly in different places at this time last year. The Tigers were prepping to win their second national championship in a five-year stretch, while the Yellow Jackets were in a complete state of flux.
A year later, Ga. Tech (9-3 straight up, 7-2-1 against the spread) is feeling a lot better about itself, while LSU arrives in Atlanta a month later than it hoped looking to restore its reputation that’s taken a few haymakers the last two months.
Paul Johnson’s first season on the Flats has been a rousing success by anyone’s estimation. When he was hired, many questioned whether or not Johnson’s triple-option attack could be effective in the ACC.
Johnson scoffed at any such notion and did so with great vigor. On sports radio in Atlanta back in July, the former head coach at Georgia Southern and Navy basically challenged the competence of his interviewers for implying that a run-oriented offense couldn’t be explosive.
Consider the naysayers silenced at this point. That’s what 409 rushing yards and a come-from-behind 45-42 victory at Georgia will do for you. That’s what a dominant 41-23 late-season win over Miami does.
LSU (7-5 SU, 2-9 ATS) would’ve rather have come to the Georgia Dome in early December rather than New Year’s Eve. Nevertheless, head coach Les Miles insists that his team will be ready to get it on.
"I think it's going to be a really outstanding game, but I feel really confident that our team is going to step up and play really well and be really motivated to play this game," Miles told the Associated Press.
LSU hasn’t stepped up recently, losing back-to-back games, three of its last four and five of its last eight. Even worse, the Tigers have burned up the pockets of their backers with six consecutive ATS defeats.
They are off a 31-30 loss at Arkansas as seven-point favorites. The defense, a staple of last year’s squad, has been leaking like a sieve. LSU gave up a last-second game-winning score to the Razorbacks on the second fourth-down conversion of that drive. In addition, the unit has surrendered 31 points in each of the last three games.
On the bright side, LSU’s offense was productive with true freshman quarterback Jordon Jefferson running the show against the Hogs. Jefferson, who will get the starting nod against Ga. Tech, ran for 57 yards and threw for 143 at Arkansas. He didn’t commit a turnover (or throw any TDs to the other team like the seven pick-6’s thrown by Jarrett Lee) and had two touchdown passes.
LSU has been real nasty in three bowl games under Miles. The Tigers absolutely beat up Miami – literally and figuratively, as the teams brawled in the tunnel before the game – in this game in 2005 (when it was – and still should be – called the Peach Bowl). They handed the ‘Canes what I like to call a pimpslap in 40-3 fashion.
Then there was the 2006 Sugar Bowl when JaMarcus Russell showed out and earned himself tens of millions of dollars. When the night was over in New Orleans, Notre Dame had taken a 41-14 clubbing, Charlie Weis had lost his genius tag, Brady Quinn had fallen a bunch of spots in the draft in which Russell would be tabbed first and many a Bayou Bengal was liquefied on Bourbon Street.
And of course, there was last year’s 38-24 pasting of Ohio St. in the Crescent City.
On the other hand, Ga. Tech has lost in three consecutive bowl games.
LSU went 0-2 both SU and ATS as an underdog this season. Meanwhile, Ga. Tech went 3-0-1 as a single digit favorite in 2008.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Yellow Jackets as 3½-point favorites with a total of 51. As of early Tuesday night, most spots had Ga. Tech at four with the total adjusted to 53. Bettors can back LSU to win outright for a plus-155 return (risk $100 to win $155).
The ‘over’ is 7-4 overall for LSU, cashing in three of its last four games. On the flip side, the ‘under’ is 6-4 overall for Ga. Tech.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
VegasInsider.com
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Air Force (8-4, 7-4 ATS) vs. Houston (7-5, 4-7 ATS) (at Fort Worth, Texas)
Air Force and Houston hook up for the second time this season, this time in the Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
These schools were originally scheduled to meet on Sept. 13 at Houston’s Robertson Stadium, but because of the impending arrival of Hurricane Ike, the game was switched to SMU’s campus stadium in Dallas. Air Force jumped out to a 31-7 lead and held on for a 31-28 victory as a 2½-point road underdog. Houston actually had a 534-380 edge in total offense, with all 380 of Air Force’s yards coming on the ground as the Falcons went 0-for-7 passing in the game.
After the loss to Air Force, Houston went to Colorado State and stumbled 28-25 as a six-point road favorite, but from there the Cougars closed the regular season on a 6-2 surge (4-4 ATS). However, a season-ending 56-42 loss at Rice as a 3½-point road favorite Nov. 29 cost the Cougars the Conference USA West Division title.
The Falcons had a roller-coaster season, as they followed up the win over Houston with consecutive losses to Utah and Navy by a total of 13 points, then went on a five-game winning streak (4-1 ATS) before concluding with blowout losses to BYU (38-24 as a three-point home underdog) and TCU (44-10 as a 20½-point road pup).
This is Air Force’s second straight trip to the Armed Forces Bowl. Last year, in coach Troy Calhoun’s first season with the Academy, the Falcons built a 21-0 lead against Cal but couldn’t close the deal, falling 42-36 as a four-point underdog. Meanwhile, this is Houston’s fourth consecutive bowl appearance and its fifth in the last six years, but the Cougars are 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS in their last four postseason contests, including last year’s 20-13 loss to TCU as a 6½-point underdog in the Texas Bowl.
Air Force puts up 26.7 points and 348.8 total yards per outing, and the Falcons ranked fifth in the nation in rushing at 268.8 yards per game (4.5 per carry). However, they were held to 24 points or less in four of their final five contests.
Houston led the nation in total offense at 575.1 yards per game, ranked second in passing offense (417.3 ypg) and 10th in scoring offense (41.2 points per game). Sophomore QB Case Keenum completed 67.3 percent of his passes for an NCAA-best 4,761 yards with 43 TDs (2nd best in the nation) and just 10 INTs. The Cougars scored at least 41 points in seven of their final eight contests.
Defensively, Air Force gives up only 21.2 points and 335.3 total yards per game, including 195.7 passing ypg. Meanwhile, the Cougars surrendered 31.2 points and 418.6 total yards per game, including 169.5 rushing ypg (4.2 per carry), and over its last six games, Houston allowed 30 points or more five times.
Houston is mired in ATS funks of 4-12 overall, 0-9 away from home (0-6 this year), 0-6 when laying points on the highway, 2-9 as a favorite in any location, 0-4 at neutral sites, 0-4 in non-conference play and 2-6 against winning teams. Air Force is on positive pointspread stretches of 14-5 overall, 13-5 on grass, 6-2 against Conference USA foes and 4-1 as an underdog of 3½ to 10 points, but the Falcons have failed to cash in nine of their last 13 against winning teams.
For Air Force, the over is on runs of 10-4 overall, 4-1 in non-conference play, 4-0 as an underdog and 6-1 in December. Also, Houston is on “over” streaks of 5-0 against winning teams and 4-1 in December, and this year’s Falcons-Cougars clash in Dallas soared over the posted price.
ATS ADVANTAGE: AIR FORCE and OVER
SUN BOWL
(18) Pittsburgh (9-3, 6-5-1 ATS) vs. (24) Oregon State (8-4 SU and ATS) (at El Paso, Texas)
After blowing a chance for its first Rose Bowl berth in more than 40 years, Oregon State had to settle for a date with Pitt at the Sun Bowl in El Paso.
Needing a win in their season finale against archrival Oregon to clinch the Pac-10 title and their first Rose Bowl berth since 1964, the Beavers got steamrolled 65-38 as a 2½-point home chalk. In addition to allowing a season high in points, Oregon State gave up 694 total yards, including 385 rushing yards. In fact, the Beavers got outgained 385-89 on the ground, and the loss snapped their six-game SU winning streak and halted an 8-1 ATS run.
The Panthers closed out the regular season with a pair of upset victories over West Virginia (19-15 as a three-point home underdog) and UConn (34-10 as a one-point road pup) to finish with their first nine-win season since 1982. Pitt won eight of its final 10 games, went 6-2 ATS down the stretch and held seven of its last 11 opponents to 21 points or less.
These teams last squared off in the 2002 Insight Bowl, with Oregon State rolling to a 38-13 victory as a 2½-point underdog. The Beavers are 4-0 (3-1 ATS) in postseason play under coach Mike Riley, including a 39-38 victory over Missouri in the 2006 Sun Bowl, but they fell short as a 3½-point favorite. Pitt is making its first bowl appearance under coach Dave Wannstedt and its first since a 35-7 loss to Utah in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl. The Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last five bowls.
Pitt averaged 29 points and 356 yards per game on offense, with the catalyst being sophomore RB LeSean McCoy, who averaged had 1,398 rushing yards (4.9 per carry), and his 21 TDs are tied for second in the nation. Last year, McCoy had 1,328 rushing yards (4.8 per carry) and 14 rushing TDs. QB Bill Stull passed for 2,308 yards (59.3 percent completion rate), but his nine TDs were offset by nine INTs.
Oregon State put up 32.8 points and 418.3 total yards per game, including 165 rushing yards per game (4.3 per carry). QB Lyle Moevao was the starter for most of the season, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,196 yards, with 19 TDs and 11 INTs. In the season finale against Oregon, the junior threw five TD passes, but his two INTs were returned for touchdowns. True freshman RB Jacquizz Rodgers (1,216 rushing yards, 5.6 ypc, 11 TDs) was second in the Pac-10 in rushing, but he missed the Oregon game and is doubtful today because of injury.
Both teams are fairly even defensively, with Oregon State yielding 25 points and 323 yards per game (134.5 rushing ypg), and the Panthers giving up 23 points and 320.8 yards per contest (127.8 rushing ypg).
Pitt went 5-1 on the highway this year (4-2 ATS), while Oregon State started the year with three straight road losses (1-2 ATS), but went 3-0 SU and 4-0 ATS away from home down the stretch.
In addition to its 8-2 ATS run overall, Oregon State is on pointspread streaks of 11-2 on artificial turf, 5-1 in December, 5-1 in bowl games, 7-1 after a double-digit home loss, 4-1 against winning teams, 6-2 after a non-cover and 21-9-1 as a favorite, but the Beavers are 1-4 ATS in their last five when laying a field goal or less. Pitt is on ATS stretches of 4-1 overall, 6-1 against winning teams, 9-3 as an underdog, 8-3 on the highway since the start of last season, 5-2 in December and 6-2 on artificial turf, but the Panthers are 2-4-1 ATS in their last seven non-league games.
For Pitt, the under is on runs of 7-3 as an underdog, 7-3 against teams with a winning record and 5-1 as an underdog of three points or less. The under is also 7-3 in Oregon State’s last 10 non-conference games, but otherwise the Beavers are on “over” stretches of 4-1 in bowl games, 8-3 versus winning teams and 6-2 in December.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OREGON STATE
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Boston College (8-4, 7-5 ATS) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6, 7-5 ATS) (at Nashville, Tenn.)
Boston College looks to extend the nation’s longest bowl winning streak when it battles Vanderbilt, which is making its first bowl appearance since 1982.
The Eagles rode a regular season-ending four-game SU and ATS winning streak to their second straight ACC Atlantic Division title, but for the second straight year they fell apart in the ACC Championship Game against Virginia Tech, this time losing 30-12 as a one-point underdog. It was just the third time this year that Boston College gave up more than 27 points.
Vanderbilt qualified for its first bowl game in 26 years despite losing six of its final seven games after a 5-0 SU and ATS start. In the season finale on Nov. 29, the Commodores went to Wake Forest and fell 23-10 as a four-point underdog in a non-conference clash. Vandy’s shaky offense produced 14 points or less (nine total TDs) in seven of its final eight games, going 2-6 SU and 3-5 ATS during this stretch.
Boston College, which is in its 10th straight bowl game, knocked off Michigan State 24-21 in last year’s Citrus Bowl for its eighth straight postseason win (6-2 ATS), the longest current bowl winning streak. However, the Eagles came up short as a five-point favorite against the Spartans. One of Boston College’s recent postseason victories came in the 2001 Music City Bowl, a 20-16 triumph over Georgia as a four-point underdog.
The Eagles scored at least 21 points in 10 of their 13 games and finished averaging 25.5 points and 318.9 yards per contest, including 143.5 rushing ypg. Chris Crane (10 TDs, 13 INTs) started the year at quarterback but was lost for the season with a broken collarbone on Nov. 15. Freshman Domonique Davis took over under center and completed just 47.1 percent of his passes for 551 yards and four TDs.
Vanderbilt put up only 19.4 points and 261 total ypg, including a woeful 122.8 passing ypg. QBs Mackenzi Adams and Chris Nickson split time under center and combined to complete less than 50 percent of their throws for 1,426 yards, with 13 TDs and 11 INTs.
Both squads field rock-solid defenses. Boston College ranks in the Top 20 nationally in scoring defense (18.5 ppg, 19th), total defense (273.3 ypg, 6th), rushing defense (92.2 ypg, 7th) and yards per carry (2.9, tied for 9th). Vanderbilt yields per-game averages of 20.1 points, 318.7 total yards and 173.7 passing yards, but it gives up 145 ypg on the ground (3.8 per carry).
Boston College is 4-1 SU in its last five as a favorite, but 1-8 ATS in its last nine as a chalk away from home. Also, although they’ve cashed in six of their last eight bowl games, the Eagles are just 1-4 ATS in their last five neutral-site contests, 3-5 ATS in their last eight on grass and 0-4 ATS in their last four in December.
Vandy is 19-8 ATS in its last 27 as an underdog away from home and 7-2 ATS in its last nine as a pup in any locale, including 6-2 ATS when catching points this season, with three outright upsets on the highway. The Commodores are also 6-2 ATS in their last eight against winning teams.
For Boston College, the over is on runs of 7-2 overall and 5-1 as a favorite, but the under is 4-1 in its last five non-conference games and 12-5 in its last 17 on grass. Meanwhile, the Commodores sport nothing but “under” runs, including, 7-2 overall, 7-3 on grass, 11-4-1 as an underdog and 11-5-1 against winning teams.
This is just the third meeting between these schools, with the last coming in 1963.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON COLLEGE and UNDER
INSIGHT BOWL
Minnesota (7-5, 7-4 ATS) vs. Kansas (7-5, 6-5 ATS) (at Tempe, Ariz.)
Minnesota limps into its first postseason game since appearing in the 2006 Insight Bowl when it clashes with Kansas, which is going bowling for the third time in the last four seasons.
The Golden Gophers jumped out to a 7-1 start, with their only loss coming at Ohio State, but they fell flat on their faces down the stretch, losing their final four games (1-3 ATS) by a combined tally of 143-55. The worst of the four losses came in the regular-season finale against Iowa, a 55-0 whitewashing as a seven-point home favorite. In losing to the Hawkeyes, the Gophers were outgained 483-134, including 222-7 on the ground and 261-127 in the air.
Kansas endured a late-season 1-4 swoon, which included three losses to Top 10 Big 12 foes Oklahoma (45-31), Texas Tech (63-21) and Texas (35-7). But the Jayhawks got off the deck in their season finale Nov. 29 and pulled out a thrilling 40-37 victory over archrival Missouri in Kansas City, cashing as a 16-point underdog. QB Todd Reesing threw a game-winning 26-yard TD pass on fourth down with 27 seconds left, and the teams combined for 916 yards of total offense (438 for Kansas).
The Jayhawks earned an at-large BCS berth last year and took full advantage, knocking off Virginia Tech 24-21 as a three-point underdog in the Orange Bowl to cap a 12-1 season. Kansas is 2-1 SU and ATS in bowl games under coach Mark Mangino.
Minnesota suffered one of the biggest collapses in recent bowl memory in its last postseason appearance, blowing a 31-point lead in losing 44-41 to Texas Tech in the 2006 Insight Bowl, though the Gophers cashed as a seven-point underdog. The Gophers are 3-0 ATS in their last three bowl games as an underdog, and each of their last four postseason contests was decided by four points or less.
With Reesing (65.7 percent, 3,573 yards, 28 TDs, 12 INTs) running the show, the Jayhawks averaged 32.7 points and 431 total yards per game (129 rushing ypg). The only teams to hold Kansas under 29 points were Texas and Texas Tech. Defensively, after giving up a total of 10 points in season-opening wins over Florida International and Louisiana Tech, the Jayhawks allowed 33 points or more seven times in their final 10 games, including an average of 41 ppg in their final five outings.
The Gophers were held to 17 points or fewer in four of their last five games and finished the year averaging 23.4 ppg and 322.2 ypg (105.8 rushing ypg). Sophomore QB Adam Weber took all the snaps under center, completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 2,585 yards, with 14 TDs and eight INTs. On the other side of the ball, Minnesota held five of its first seven foes to 20 points or less, but during their season-ending four-game slide, the Gophers gave up an average of 35.8 ppg.
Kansas is on ATS runs of 12-7 overall, 15-4 as a favorite (3-3 ATS as a chalk this season), 5-0 as a favorite of 3½ to 10 points, 7-1 in non-conference games, 10-4 versus winning teams and 4-1 on grass. Minnesota is on pointspread streaks of 7-3 overall, 5-2 on grass and 6-1 as an underdog, including 4-1 ATS as a pup this season. However, the Golden Gophers have failed to cover in 17 of their last 25 games when catching between 3½ and 10 points.
The over for Kansas is on tears of 5-1 overall, 5-0 away from home this season and 4-0 on grass, but the under is 5-2 in its last seven as a favorite. Minnesota has stayed low in five of its last seven contests overall, but the over is 8-1 in the Gophers’ last nine non-league games and 5-1 in its last six as an underdog.
These schools have split six previous meetings on the gridiron, the last being in 1973.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
LSU (7-5, 2-9 ATS) vs. (14) Georgia Tech (9-3, 8-2 ATS) (at Atlanta)
One season after capturing its second national championship of the decade, LSU finds itself relegated to this New Year’s Eve contest against red-hot Georgia Tech, which is playing just two miles from its home stadium in Atlanta.
The Tigers defeated Ohio State 38-24 as a 3½-point favorite in last year’s BCS Championship Game at the Superdome for their second national title since 2003. But after jumping out to a 4-0 start (1-2 ATS) this season, Les Miles’ squad hit the skids, going 3-5 SU and 1-7 ATS, including six straight non-covers to close the year. In a fitting end to a disappointing season, LSU went to Arkansas on Nov. 28 and gave up a 24-yard TD pass on fourth down with 21 seconds to play to turn a 30-24 win into a 31-30 loss.
Georgia Tech capped a breakthrough season under first-year coach Paul Johnson with impressive season-ending wins over Miami (41-23 as a three-point home favorite) and rival Georgia (45-42 as a 7½-point road underdog). In the two victories, the Yellow Jackets set season records for points and racked up an astounding 881 rushing yards. In fact, they outgained Miami and Georgia on the ground by a combined 625 yards.
These schools last met in the 2000 Peach Bowl, with LSU upsetting No. 15 Georgia Tech 28-14 as an 8½-point underdog. However, the Jackets are 12-6 SU all-time in this series.
Ten of the last 16 ACC-SEC matchups in the Chick-fil-A Bowl have been decided by a touchdown or less.
Georgia Tech is in its 12th straight bowl game and is 22-14 all-time, but 0-3 SU (1-2 ATS) in the last three, including last year’s 40-28 loss to Fresno State as a 5½-point favorite in the Humanitarian Bowl. Meanwhile, the Tigers have set a school record with their ninth consecutive bowl appearance, and they’ve won and covered all three postseason games under Miles.
The Yellow Jackets averaged 26.2 ppg, and even though they netted just 95 passing ypg, their triple-option attack ranked third in the nation with 282.3 rushing ypg and sixth in yards per carry (5.6). RBs Jonathan Dwyer (1,328 yards, 7 ypc, 12 TDs) and Roddy Jones (651 yards, 9.3 ypc, 4 TDs) led the ground attack, and sophomore QB Josh Nesbitt contributed 1,289 combined rushing and receiving yards and nine combined TDs, while throwing four INTs.
LSU put up 30.3 points and 371.8 total yards per game (167.2 rushing ypg), and the Tigers scored 30 points or more seven times. Injuries at QB forced Miles to go with Jarrett Lee for much of the season, and the sophomore struggled, completing 53.2 percent of his throws for 1,873 yards, with 13 TDs and a whopping 16 INTs, seven of which were returned for touchdowns.
Georgia Tech allowed just 18.8 points and 312.7 total yards per game (116.9 rushing ypg), while the Tigers got torched for 26 points on just 326.5 total yards per outing (105.8 rushing ypg). Both teams gave up an average of 31 points and more than 395 yards in their final three games, with LSU allowing exactly 31 in its last three.
LSU has been a pointspread disaster recently, going 4-16-2 ATS in its last 22 overall, 0-4 ATS in its last four as an underdog and 0-4 ATS in its last four against winning teams. However, the Tigers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last eight December outings and 12-4 ATS in their last 16 non-SEC contests.
Conversely, in addition to its 8-2 ATS record for the season, Georgia Tech is on pointspread runs of 5-1 as a favorite, 11-5-1 in non-conference games and 4-1 after a spread-cover, though the Jackets are 1-4 ATS in their last five games in December.
The over for LSU is on runs of 15-5 overall, 7-1 away from home, 5-2 in bowl games, 11-3 against winning teams and 10-4 following a pointspread setback. And the over for Georgia Tech is on streaks of 6-0 in bowl games, 5-0 with the Jackets a favorite, 4-1 at neutral sites, 4-0 in non-conference play and 4-1 in December.
ATS ADVANTAGE: GEORGIA TECH and OVER
Gametimepicks.com
Insight Bowl - Minnesota vs. Kansas December
by Lenny Del Genio
This is hardly the most marquee bowl game, so we have yet to see much in the way of major line movement on either the side or the total. Kansas, not surprisingly, is favored having opened at -10, now down to a nine-point choice. The total has moved from 57 up to 58.
Compared to the 2007 team, Kansas was a disappointment this season. However, given a much tougher schedule this year compared to last, you had to see this coming. They were severely outclassed by Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech, losing those games respectively by 14, 28 and 42 points. They avoided all three of those teams on last year’s schedule en route to a 12-1 season that concluded with an outright win in the Orange Bowl over Virginia Tech.
A 40-37 win over rival Missouri (as 16.5-point underdogs) in the season finale could be cause for enthusiasm though. Over the last two seasons, the Jayhawks have been one of the best pointspread teams in the country, covering 17 of 23 games overall, including a 12-3 ATS mark when favored.
Kansas had major issues protecting QB Todd Reesing as only 28 teams allowed more sacks this season.
Minnesota, meanwhile, will be happy just to be in a bowl game after going 1-11 in HC Tim Brewster’s first season last year. They gained bowl eligibility rather quickly, winning seven of their first eight games, making them one of the, if not the, most improved teams in the country. Then the bottom dropped out. They are entering the Insight Bowl on a four game losing streak, which includes a humiliating 55-0 home loss to Iowa in the finale.
Prior to that awful loss, the Gophers were 4-0 ATS when getting points this year. They won two of those games outright, beating both Bowling Green and Illinois.
Like Kansas, Minnesota has offensive line issues as they struggle to run the ball at times. They had just 257 rushing yards total in those final four losses. An offense that ranks just 82nd in the nation in points scored could be cause for concern, particularly when facing a Jayhawks team that averages over 32 PPG.
This will be the 3rd straight Insight Bowl that pits the Big 12 against the Big 10. In both previous meetings, the Big 12 emerged victorious. Minnesota played in this game back in 2006, losing in OT to Texas Tech, 44-41, but covered as seven-point underdogs. Last year, Oklahoma State handled Indiana, 49-33.